Chapter 35
Emma
I love a man who is as good as his word because when we wake, Sebastian’s up for anything, just as promised.
I sleepily moan and writhe against him.
The sun pierces the sheer drapes, bathing the room in a soft, golden light.
I sneak a peek at the man I’m lying on and catch my breath at his otherworldly beauty.
His dark lashes and dark hair lie against tanned skin, and the strong planes of his face are enhanced by the stubble of his sharp jaw.
His mouth is just the right amount of soft and molded.
He’s both deeply pretty and deeply masculine, a combination rarely found in nature, even in the wilds of Hollywood.
It sucks when the man you’re in bed with is so much prettier than you.
And I’m afraid for my heart because I’ll be remembering this moment, last night, this entire long weekend, for the rest of my life.
I need to enjoy this for what it is. A beautiful experience for now.
Sebastian’s eyes pop open, and I’m blinded by the azure blue of them.
He shifts into me restlessly.
“Em,” he says in a gruff rasp. “It wasn’t a dream.” His eyes are wide and so full of wonder that my chest squeezes.
Focus on the now. Now is enough.
“Not a dream,” I murmur. “And, by the way, I’m very rested this morning. In case you were wondering.”
“Hmmm, you seem perky.” He runs a hand against my breast, causing me to gasp and my nipple to strain. “But I need to investigate more thoroughly to be sure,” he rumbles, lifting the sheet.
Yes, I squeal to myself.
My phone alarm blares.
“Ignore that,” I cry. “I always set two alarms. This is just my first one, set for eight a.m. My second alarm is set for eight thirty. My appointment with Caitlin isn’t until ten.”
“Emma.” His hand halts on its path to my breast, which makes me want to whimper.
“Yes?”
“It’s nine thirty.”
“Noooo.” I really do whimper now. And swear.
A very rushed thirty minutes later, my heels clatter on the pathway to Lavender Hill House. It’s aptly named because it’s next to a lavender field, which looks like a sea of the softest purple.
Caitlin greets me in jeans and a casual black cropped concert T-shirt that showcases her colorful tattoos.
“Okay. Before we go any further, I have to tell you it’s not entirely my fault.
I’ve been really busy. So I haven’t had much time,” she says shamefacedly.
“And I’m not a naturally neat person. I’m a total mess on the best of occasions, but I’m going through a terrible breakup, so I’m even worse.
Please give me a chance and don’t judge me too harshly,” she says as she shuttles me into the living room.
I scan the space, my heartbeat increasing.
There are boxes everywhere, stacked high, row upon row of them.
Some open. Some not. Items are flung across every tastefully designed surface and cover the floor so you can’t even see the beautiful hardwood.
Food boxes and wine bottles litter the glass coffee table. A guitar sits in a corner of the sofa.
It looks like a depressed teenager and a college fraternity have joined forces.
“Are the other rooms like this?” I ask, my voice shaking a bit.
“Yes,” she admits, biting her lips and looking at me nervously, like I might bolt. Or cry.
My smile widens. And widens. “Perfect. It’s just perfect,” I breathe.
Caitlin turns, startled. “You’re not going to desert me?”
“Are you kidding? An entire house like this? I love my new career.”
I work diligently for the rest of the day, thankful to have something to keep me busy so I don’t overthink everything that’s happened between Sebastian and me and worry about the state of my heart when we part in just a few days.
There’s a lot to do. I decide there should be several phases to the project.
Caitlin doesn’t want to move into a hotel because she leaves in less than a week, so I need to tame the mess to make the charming, ivy-covered two-story house livable for the interim.
And then, there will be phase two of the project while she’s on tour.
I’ll collaborate with Sadie to turn this place into a home suitable for a rock goddess.
Also, seeing the way Caitlin lives, I need to make sure the design and organization work with her chaotic tendencies.
It has to be intuitive and simple to maintain.
And then I’ll find the perfect assistant who will keep up with her creative brain and night-owl life.
I’m in my element. I’ve already developed a system for contracts and pricing, so even that part isn’t as intimidating as it might be.
By the time we wrap things up at 6:30 p.m., we’ve made tremendous progress. Despite the boxes, the house is now much more orderly, and I’ve unpacked and put away her essentials so she can spend a comfortable night, find everything easily, and isn’t tripping over her belongings.
“I can’t thank you enough, Emma. You’re amazing.” Caitlin scans her far neater surroundings with obvious relief. “But the best part? You didn’t judge me at all. In fact, you like that I’m a disaster.” She gives me a hug.
I smile warmly. “Honestly, the more mess, the better. Maybe that should be my slogan.”
“It has a certain ring to it,” she says as she walks me out of her house. Then she tilts her head and shifts her gaze. Her eyes twinkle. “Someone looks determined.”
Sebastian strides up the pathway. He engulfs me in a hug, laying a possessive kiss on my lips. I almost swoon.
“Are you okay? Are you tired?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m fine.” I turn to my new client. “I apologize for his boorish manners. Sebastian, say hi to Caitlin.”
He looks at her with a smile. “Hey. Sorry. It’s good to see you again.” He turns back to me. “You’ve been gone all day. You were only supposed to take a meeting.”
“Says the man I used to work seven days a week for.”
“That wasn’t often. And only if you consider work hanging out on set with me, keeping me from being bored out of my mind.”
“I mean, yes. I consider that work. A lot of work. Copious work.”
Caitlin’s gaze volleys back and forth between the two of us. She gives a soft little sigh. “Maybe my wife and I would have lasted if she cared even half as much about me.”
I open my mouth to correct her assumption and then realize I can’t. So instead, I give her an awkward smile.
She shoots a pointed glance at my ring and then turns to Sebastian.
“I’ve been admiring Emma’s ring all day.
You did well. I recognize the design. It’s one of Mallory Kalama’s Heart series, isn’t it?
” She smiles. “You lucky girl. It’s incredibly rare.
He must have some serious contacts to get that for you. ”
“Oh!” I say, surprised. My eyes widen as I see my beautiful ring in a new light.
It was my favorite of all the designs I was offered yesterday.
But it was also the least ostentatious, so I’d hoped it wasn’t too expensive.
Though Caitlin has too much class to say outright that the ring is worth a fortune, I can read her admiring glances at my finger.
Sebastian doesn’t look bothered by either the value of the ring or the disclosure. Instead, he takes my hand, traces the hearts, and gazes into my eyes, making my stomach feel wobbly. “I’m the lucky one,” he says. “So fucking lucky.” And then he brushes my cheek with the sweetest of kisses.
My heart fills with aching warmth. I hate how susceptible I am to his words, when they are likely for Caitlin’s benefit.
The ring might be fake, and the engagement might be fake.
But we feel all too real.